What is Sannyaasa

This Sannyaasaashrama which is generally indicated by the term sannyaasa means very clearly:

• Keeping away from the blood and matrimonial relationships. It means, not to have any functional relationship either in the mind or in the bodily level with them.
• Not having any profession or any kind of an income.
• Not having any possession.

That is, abandoning or renouncing the usual ways of life, relationships and dependence. Then, being alone, what will a sannyaasin do thereafter? After all, sannyaasa is meant for attaining Moksha. So, the sannyaasin will pursue the saadhana meant for moksha.

What is that saadhana? Very clearly it is three-fold – shravana,manana and nididhyaasana. Listen to the scriptures from the Wise Guru or Saints. Thereafter, reflect upon whatever is heard or studied. And then, once the ideas have become well crystallized and the intellect has become well resolved – vyavasaayaatmika buddhiH – sit in a place, contemplate upon the Truth, and realize the Truth. The third stage clearly means that one should remain physically still and try to attain oral, mental and intellectual stillness.

Finally, when the inner personality becomes still, all the object connections are lost and the Subject alone remains. So, one cannot but realize That. This is the saadhana for a sannyaasin.

Whenever we refer to sannyaasa, we refer to it as an Ashrama, the fourth and the last, in which secular activities and secular relationships have no place. However, you will find that after taking up sannyaasa many people undertake social and other forms of welfare activities. The orthodox people who advocate sannyaasa will always denounce such activity. Other than shravana, manana and nididhyaasana, the only exercise a sannyaasin can take up is reading scriptures, writing commentaries on them or writing fresh books. These are the only things, a sannyaasin is supposed to do. All other forms of activity are considered secular.

Now the question is: Does Bhagavadgeeta profess this kind of sannyaasa? This is what Arjuna wanted to take up. And he laid down his weapons saying that he would not fight. That is the time the Geeta instructions commenced. In the process, Sri Krishna started discussing sannyaasa as an attainment.

Why are sannyaasins themselves pursuing sannyaasa-dharma? It is for an attainment. What is that attainment? It is characterized by the realization of the Self.

Harih Om Tat Sat. Jai Guru.